|
Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 13, 2012 17:37:18 GMT -1
Each to their own views and beliefs. I for one will continue to remove all ragwort I see in my fields and will take steps to have any serious amounts of ragwort removed from neigbouring fields by contacting the land owner, and will continue to use gloves when handling ragwort - I won't take any risks
A friend had three ponies diagnosed with ragwort poisoning just a couple of years ago.
|
|
|
Post by valerie n scout on Oct 13, 2012 17:39:51 GMT -1
well I wouldn't have the hay from the field behind us..just not worth the risk and yes we will keep pulling the bleeding stuff out too x
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2012 18:20:24 GMT -1
Each to their own views and beliefs. I for one will continue to remove all ragwort I see in my fields and will take steps to have any serious amounts of ragwort removed from neigbouring fields by contacting the land owner, and will continue to use gloves when handling ragwort - I won't take any risks Ok If I can show you that there are a set of plants where it would appear to be the case from the statisitcs that they are associated with more horse deaths than ragwort would you remove them too?
|
|
|
Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 13, 2012 19:35:10 GMT -1
Most probably - but I suspect you are going to say grass due to laminitis risks
|
|
|
Post by olivia on Oct 13, 2012 19:42:59 GMT -1
We certainly wouldn't feed them to our horses. To say that because other plants exist that are toxic we should shift our concern from ragwort to them is nonsensical.
As horse owners we spend a lot of time learning how to maximise their welfare and ensure they are not eating anything that could damage their health. This includes being aware of a range of toxic plants and doing our best to ensure our horses do not ingest them.
Just out of interest - why do you believe that because there were not any REPORTED deaths from ragwort then there weren't any?
I think, if you are genuinely concerned about the future of invertebrates in this country, you are not wise to alienate the equestrian community. We do a huge amount to preserve and widen a range of habitats that are hugely beneficial to a range of wildlife. It is in our benefit to have fields full of a wide range of plants - both for hay and grazing. We like nice big hedges to provide good shelter for our horses. We care passionately about the countryside and do a huge amount to protect and preserve it. Why do you want to paint us as a villain in this? In many way's we're on your side!
|
|
|
Post by SuzieP on Oct 13, 2012 19:44:12 GMT -1
Nothing I've heard today is going to stop me pulling up or killing ragwort either, just as I won't graze my horse near yew or laburnum. I don't demand that all yew and laburnum trees are destroyed....but I d**n well won't allow them within reach of my horse.
You can make academic research and statistics say whatever you want it to say. Just look at all the food scares and contradictions, all supported by "scientific evidence". And whilst the academics argue about what the "truth" is, the rest of us get on with real life.
|
|
|
Post by cadeby on Oct 13, 2012 19:56:30 GMT -1
What a ridiculous question! Do you seriously think that the answer to that question, when posed on an EQUINE forum, will be anything other than a resounding "yes"! Most horse owners would go out of their way to remove toxic plants from grazing paddocks, or restrict the access of their horses to such areas. I'm sure the people on this forum would welcome any information you can provide as to which plants you accept are toxic to horses. I trust you will quote the source paper that proves the toxicity of each species on your list? I personally would not allow my horses to eat laurel, yew or fallen acorns, together with ragwort. I have not read any scientific papers that specifically relate to the toxicity of any of these species, but I accept the "considered opinion" that these plants are indeed toxic to horses and choose not to take the risk. I wouldn't allow a child to eat a handful of laburnum pods or fly agaric fungi, but I haven't read any papers on those species either. How very remiss of me that I accept something I have been taught without questioning. Now I am concerned that the World may actually be flat and that gravity is a figment of Isaac Newton's imagination Please do not make the assumption that people on this forum are uneducated or can be bullied into accepting your beliefs, just because you quote a few internet articles. I'm sure if I had the time to trawl through the scientific literature, I would find numerous papers that dispute your claims. I have a BSc (Hons) degree in Biological Sciences with a specialisation in Pollution, Ecology and Conservation, so I am very much in favour of maintaining habitat diversity for all inhabitants of this planet, but there has to be a balance between the needs of wildlife and the needs of humans and livestock in the modern managed ecosystem in which we all now live. I admire your passion for your subject but you will not win converts to your cause with such an antagonistic approach - it borders on fanaticism, and that is a proven way to turn people off. The scientist in me is drawn to reading your website to educate myself further on the current debate surrounding ragwort, but your "attacks" on my forum friends, and the cavalier manner in which you have waded into this forum without even the courtesy of an introduction, has persuaded me to seek information elsewhere and never look at any of your reports! Incidentally, approximately 10 years ago my husband hand-pulled over 2000 flowering ragwort plants from a friend's field. 6 months later he became ill with liver damage. His liver function was impaired by 30%. He rarely drinks alcohol, he had not knowingly suffered a virus and tests for hepatitis all proved negative. The conclusion of his doctor was that ragwort had caused the problem, but no, I do not have any conclusive proof of this. No-one does. Just the measured opinion of medical practitioners, and that will do for me!
|
|
|
Post by jazzy on Oct 13, 2012 20:05:23 GMT -1
Ignore the troll, I'm sure it's the same one that pops up on the H&H forum whenever ragwort is mentioned!
|
|
|
Post by SuzieP on Oct 13, 2012 20:09:15 GMT -1
Oh - one of those is he?
|
|
|
Post by harveydales on Oct 13, 2012 20:11:13 GMT -1
Ignore the troll, I'm sure it's the same one that pops up on the H&H forum whenever ragwort is mentioned! Yes, I'm sure you are right. I saw the recent H&H thread on the subject.
|
|
|
Post by jap on Oct 13, 2012 20:13:09 GMT -1
having just read some of the articles highlighted...... i,m still going to spray or pull every bit of ragwort on my farm and ive been seen pulling it out of the local verges so it doesnt spread further. NIMBY
|
|
|
Post by valerie n scout on Oct 13, 2012 20:18:33 GMT -1
Troll
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2012 21:32:14 GMT -1
having just read some of the articles highlighted...... i,m still going to spray or pull every bit of ragwort on my farm and ive been seen pulling it out of the local verges so it doesnt spread further. NIMBY If what you say is treu then you have just admitted publicly to committing a criminal offenceWhich if you had actually read the stuff properly you would know!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2012 21:40:32 GMT -1
Ignore the troll, I'm sure it's the same one that pops up on the H&H forum whenever ragwort is mentioned! Yes, I'm sure you are right. I saw the recent H&H thread on the subject. I m not trolling for responses. There is no evidence that what you are saying is true. I politely repeat my request that you provide the data that you stated existed or I politely request that you admit that I was right and you were wrong.
|
|
|
Post by SuzieP on Oct 13, 2012 21:56:46 GMT -1
But what would be the point? I really don't think you're interested in the welfare of our ponies, you just want to score points. Had you been less confrontational we could have had an interesting debate. Others may want to reply, but I have neither the time nor the inclination.
|
|